Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019: New details on the elections

October 20, 2019
Time: 2:30 p.m.

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019 informs that from the total of 196 incident reports, reported by Promo-LEX observers by 1.30 p.m., 176 were processed by the central team of the Promo-LEX Mission of which 150 incidents are included in this press release:

New details on the elections

The Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019 finds:

Unjustified suspension of voting procedures – 1 case

• PS 11/22 Cimislia, Gradiste. At 11:05 am, the PS was declared closed due to non-operation of SIAS Elections system, the doors of the PS were closed, voters were not allowed in. The problem was remedied after 10 minutes and the PS resumed its activity.
• Presence of advertising materials, posters, electoral displays within the precinct (100 meters from the polling station) – 15 cases.
• PS1 / 282, Chisinau, Bacioi. An electoral poster of a mayoral candidate is placed at distance of 10 meters from the PS.
• PS 13/3 Donduseni. On the morning of the election day, a poster representing a candidate for the mayoral office was installed at a distance of 30 m from the PS. The poster was later removed.
• PS 7/18. Cahul, Andrusul de Jos. It was reported at 08:15 that some electoral posters of a competitor are placed within 100 m of the PS. PEB members claim that yesterday at 4 pm, there was nothing there. The PEB president announced the police. The posters were not removed until 9.00 am.
• PS 7/43 Cahul, Iujnoe. In the morning, a poster depicting one of the competitors was found at a distance of 30 m from the PS. The PEB president was announced and the poster was removed.
• PS 1/289, Chisinau, Budesti. A poster of a candidate was stuck on the door of a shop, located at a distance of about 70 m from the PS.
• PS 1/108, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. A banner of a competitor was noticed at a distance of about 70 m from the PS.
• PS 1/110, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. At 07:45, a truck bearing the logo of one of the competitors was parked within 70 of the PS. The PEB president and an observer approached the car, but they did not find the owner / driver of this truck.
• PS 33/7 Taraclia, Tvardita. At 07:30, one of the candidates noticed a 5×3 m billboard placed within 30 m of the PS.
• PS1 / 265 Chisinau, Ghidighici. The observer reported that an electoral poster (1×1 m) representing one of the mayoral candidates was seen on the wall of a garage, which is located at a distance of 5-10 m from the PS. It was removed by an observer and later restored again by someone. The PEB president announced the police about the case.
• PS 12/5 Criuleni, Balabanesti. An A4 poster representing a mayoral candidate was stuck on a pillar at about 30-40 m from the PS.
• PS 14/29, Drochia, Palanca. Posters of a competitor were observed on the display near the PS. At around 10:40, they were removed.
• PS 31/1, Soldanesti, Alcedar. Advertising materials were \ stuck on the pillars within 50-100 m from the PS.
• PS 14/29, Drochia. Salvirii Noi. Posters of 2 competitors were seen on pillars within the precinct of the PS.
• PS 13/1, Donduseni. A4 posters of 2 competitors were seen within 50 m of the PS.
• PS 1/269, Chisinau, Singera. A tent with the signs of a party was placed near the PS.

Electoral/ negative campaigning to influence the choice of voters – 15 cases

• PS 1/269, Chisinau, Singera. At 8:57 am, a minibus was observed parked near the House of Culture in Singera, at a distance of 300 m from the PS 269. It was a blue Mercedes Benz, Sprinter EIR 772, which had electoral posters with the image of a candidate for the mayor’s office on it.
• PS 1/269 Chisinau, Singera. At 8:57, a white minibus was seen parked near the House of Culture in Singera, at a distance of 300 m from the PS 269. It was an Iveco CUAC 964, with a 2 x 3 street banner for one of the candidates on the lateral part of the vehicle.
• PS 2/48, Balti. At 09:12, two voters were discussing inside the polling station about the existing electoral options, mentioning competitors’ names.
• PS 1/14, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. The observer representing one of the competitors told the voters who came to the PS what to do, where to go, what desk to approach etc. After the PEB president was informed about it, the observer stopped involving, and the president said he would take action if the situation is repeated.
• PS 36/46 ATUG, Cismichioi. One of the competitors’ representative carried out electoral campaigning around the precinct.
• PS 01/278 Chisinau, Vatra. In the PS, two voters publicly gave each other directions on the voting options. PEB members did not react to the case.
• PS 32/06 Ștefan Voda, Antonesti. One of the candidates for the mayor’s office has been in the precinct of the PS (within 100 m of PS) from the morning until the incident was reported (09:46). The PEB president has seen the candidate. He changes his location periodically, talks to the voters, the subject of their discussion is not known. There is photo evidence of the case.
• PS 32/6 Ștefan Voda, Antonesti. In the PS, four voters waiting in the line were discussing loudly about the candidates on the ballot and even mentioned the candidate for whom they wanted to vote, telling the candidate’s number.
• PS 18/9 Alexeevca, Floresti. A voter was making electoral campaigning in front of the PS at a distance of 10-15 m. The STO has not heard exactly in whose favor he was campaigning. The PEB president and the police were announced, the president went out and talked to the person after which he left.
• PS 1/91, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. A voter entered the PS precinct with a bag that had a PPS logo on it. PEB members noticed it only after the voter left the voting booth.
• PS 1/278 Chisinau, Vatra. A voter was carrying out campaigning activities in the PS, expressing his opinion on the voting options.
• PS 01/168 Chisinau, Ciocana Dist. Two voters were discussing the voting options standing in front of PEB members’ desk. They stopped talking only when the president said they would call the police.
• PS 1/122 Chisinau, Center Dist. A voter heard how a PEB member suggested to a senior woman to vote for a certain candidate.
• PS 36/1 ATUG, Comrat. About four people were carrying out campaigning activities in support of a competitor within 100 m of the PS.
• PS 11/17 Cimislia. Ciuncur Mingir. Having voted, a citizen went out to the polling station and started campaigning for a candidate.

Rumors, attempts or even cases of material or monetary rewards offered to voters to influence their choice – 5 cases

• PS 25/81 Orhei, Viscauți. A table has been installed in a former store, located within 150 m from the PS, with tea and coffee being offered to voters. A passer-by claims that they give cash rewards for voters in that place.
• PS 18/35 Florești, Gura Cainarului. The friends of a mayoral candidate invited voters to the nearby bar.
• PS 26/39 Rezina, Trifesti. The STO noticed a point of sale / bar, near the PS, a police officer was there, too. Thus, having voted, a group of voters went to the point of sale. The policeman intervened, when he noticed that he was watched by the STO.
• PS 16/18, Edineț, Blesesti. Voters gather in front of a shop at a distance of 20-30 m from the PS. The PEB members did not intervene.
• PS 25/41 Orhei, Jora de Mijloc. A group of people representing one of the competitors, having some lists in hands, approached all the voters and discussed (within 100 m from the PS). This lasted for about one hour.

Organized transportation of voters (coaches, minibuses or other units of transportation that normally would not be around the PS) – 9 cases

• PS 36/46 ATUG, Cismichioi. The observer saw a white minibus (8-9 seats) stopped 3-4 times near the PS. The STO heard how voters were told that “in the center of the village, they will receive rewards.”
• PS 15/1, Dubasari, Cocieri. Voters arrived in an organized manner on 2 minibuses. Each of them had about 15 voters on board. The PEB president knows of the situation. The voters claim that they are from the neighboring settlement, but they are registered within the respective PS.
• SMC no. 48, PS 48 / 11,12, Transnistrian region. At 09:48, at a 10-minute interval, two white minibuses from Bender arrived and parked near the PS. About 15-20 people came out of the minibuses, entered the PS and voted. After voting, they got into the same minibuses.
• SMC no. 50, PS 50/62, Romania, Iasi. A group of about 11 people entered the PS, after voting, they showed their passports to one of the observers. The people seem to be transported by a Mercedes, registration numbers / a HUW 813, registered in the RM.
• SMC no. 50, PS 50/62, Romania, Iasi. A group of about 8 persons entered the PS. Going outside, the STO noticed that the people got into the Mercedes minibus reg. no. Î BLDI 277, which runs on the Iasi – Balti route.
• PS 32/6 Ștefan Voda, Antonesti. Two vehicles were observed: a Vito minibus (freight), gray color, registration number PS AL 263 and a Dacia Logan, white color, registration number OOT329. It transported at least 6 elderly people, who entered the premises of the PS. The Dacia Logan was driven by a local party activist, seeing that they were shot, they started to justify their acts.
• PS 2/1, Balti. There was noticed continuous and organized transportation of voters in favor of a competitor (8-9 voters at a time), using a T5 minibus, registration number GME 694. This minibus made at least 3 rounds, bringing to the PS about 27 voters.
• SMC no. 48. PS 48/20 Causeni, Hagimus. A voter announced the observer that every hour, minibuses from Bender bring voters to the PS. They are parked at a distance exceeding 100 m from the PS, therefore, the PEB president said he cannot intervene.
• SMC no. 48. PS 48/19 Causeni, Hagimus. Two white minibuses that arrived from Bender are parked at the gate of the polling station, within 100 m. Each of them brought 10 people. Elderly people voted in an organized manner. The PEB president announced that he cannot ban them from voting.

Unjustified presence of unauthorized persons in the PS or within 100 m of it- 20 cases.

• PS 11/46, Cimislia, Valea Perjei. At 07:31, it was reported that a candidate for the position of local councilor, was in front of the PEB desk. At the president’s remark, he withdrew. However, according to unofficial data obtained from several sources, the candidate was waiting for a group of 15 people from another settlement, who had a residence visa in this settlement to vote for a specific candidate.
• PS 26/02 Rezina, Rezina. An unauthorized person spent about 10 minutes in the PS, during this time, he consulted the representative with the right to consultative vote of one of the competitors. The PEB president did not react.
• PS 24/03 Ocnita. One of the mayoral candidates entered the PS and wished them good luck. His domicile is within another PS.
• PS 2/58, Balti, Elizavetovca. At 07:36, it was noticed that a grey Dacia, registration number BL DM 370, was parked within 100 m from the PS. The PEB president came out of the PS with three A4 sheets and showed them to the person in the car.
• PS 5/14, Basarabeasca, Sadaclia. Observers representing 2 competitors do not have their accreditations. The PEB president allowed them to monitor the elections based on the decision of the DEC, which is neither signed nor stamped.
• PS 5/15, Basarabeasca, Sadaclia. Observers representing 2 competitors do not have their accreditations. The PEB president allowed them to monitor the elections based on the decision of the DEC, which is neither signed nor stamped.
• PS 11/37, Cimislia, Mihailovca. At least until 8:40 am, the district police officer was permanently inside the PS.
• PS 01/278 Chisinau, Vatra. The STO mentions the presence of one of the candidates for the position of local councilor, representing the PPS. The person came at 7.15 and voted, then he came again at 8.30, accompanied by two voters and returned at 9.30, he discussed with the observer from a competitor and with PEB members, including PEB president. He stayed in the PS for 7 minutes and left. The PEB president did not intervene.
• PS 27/50 Riscani, Vasileuti. A candidate for the position of district and municipal councilor, spent about an hour in the hall of the PS, discussing with two observers and with a PEB member.
• PS 11/26 Cimislia, Hirtop. After voting, a candidate for the position of local councilor spent in the PS about 20 minutes, discussing with an observer. The PEB president did not react.
• PS 2/25, Balti. A police officer (dressed in a policeman’s uniform), periodically enters the PS and watches the voting process, spending in the PS about 5 – 10 minutes (the situation has been observed at least 3 times). The president of the PEB asked him to leave the PS, but he refused.
• PS 18/67 Floresti, Varvareuca. After voting, a candidate for the mayoral office stayed in the polling station, he was asked by the president to leave, at the time of the call, he was discussing with other villagers.
• PS 24/03, Ocnita. A candidate for the mayor’s position entered the PS and wished everyone good luck. The candidate is domiciled within another PS.
• PS 19/7, Glodeni, Balatina. At a distance of only 25 m from the PS, one of the candidates to the position of councilor was discussing with two voters. Noticing that he was being shot by the observer, he immediately left.
• PS 18/23 Floresti, Unchitești. A candidate for the mayor’s office was noticed in front of the polling station discussing with voters who were going to vote.
• PS 18/22. Florești, Cuhurestii de Sus. The mayoral candidate spent in the PS about 10 minutes, discussing with observers.
• PS 12/20 Criuleni, Harpul Mare. A candidate for the mayoral office entered the PS and discussed with the voters. Several lines formed in the polling station at that time. The PEB president commented on the candidate’s behavior and he left. According to the observer, that candidate votes in another polling station and should not normally be present in this PS.
• PS 28/27 Singerei, Copaceni. The president of the territorial organization of a party entered the premises of the PS. He is not on the main lists of this PS, but he accompanied 2 other voters.
• PS 9/47 Calarasi. Valcinet. A candidate for the position of mayor, was within 100 m of the PS. He greeted and discussed with each voter.
• PS 22/26 Leova. Cupcui. The supporters of a competitor were within 100 m of the polling station, holding discussions with voters.

Ballot boxes have not been sealed in compliance with the legal procedures / broken / deteriorated or complete absence of seals on the ballot boxes – 1 case.

• PS 33/26 Taraclia, Salcia. The ballot boxes have not been properly secured. The mobile box has no seal, and the stationary one has only 2 seals. The PEB president did not react.

Acts of violence or intimidation of voters or other persons – 2 cases

• PS 18/9 Floresti, Alexeevca. In the PS, an elderly woman was shouting and verbally harassing / assaulting PEB members. The president reprimanded her, then she calmed down, voted and left the PS.
• PS 18/9 Floresti, Alexeevca. A voter being drunk, verbally assaulted the PEB members. He calmed down and then voted.

Unjustified group voting (there are 2 and more people in the voting booths) – 11 cases

• PS 01/194 Chisinau, Ciocana Dist. Husband and wife voted in the same voting booth. The PEB president was not present to comment.
• PS 01/278 Chisinau, Vatra. 3 citizens voted in group (of them 2 are elderly). One of the voters (who works for the town hall) gave directions to the elderly for whom to vote, arguing that they are mentally challenged. The PEB members did not react to this case.
• PS 1/287, Chisinau, Bubuieci. Two people voted simultaneously in the same voting booth, where one gave directions to the other. PEB members did not comment on it.
• PS 9/45 Calarasi, Tibirica. A lady came with an elderly man, who was not able to vote individually. Without consulting with the old man, the woman applied the stamp for him. The PEB members did not have any reaction to the case, and the woman concerned said that she was the old man’s guardian, but she did not present any confirmatory documents.
• PS 15/1. Dubasari, Cocieri. A blind person asked for help to sign and vote. The PEB president asked another voter who was in the PS to help the person. He, in turn, tried to influence the vote of the blind person. The PEB president noticed it and reprimanded the man.
• PS 1/103, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. Two people voted in the same voting booth. The president and members of the PEB did not react.
• PS 2/44, Balti. Two people voted in the same voting booth. The PEB president has not taken any measures to resolve the case.
• PS 9/39 Calarasi, Sipoteni. Two elderly people entered the same voting booth. The PEB president made a remark, but the people voted anyway.
• PS 01/165 Chisinau, Ciocana Dist. Two people voted in the same voting booth. The PEB members made a remark, but the people ignored it.
• PS 2/28, Balti. Two voters entered the same voting booth (relatives – grandfather and grandson). Although the elderly person did not have any visual impairments (he did not need help), his grandson indicated to him where to apply the seal. The PEB president made a remark, but they paid no attention to it.
• PS 1/47, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. Two elderly people voted in the same voting booth. PEB members noticed it only after the people had already voted.

Undistributed ballot papers are not kept in a safe place inside the polling station – 1 case.

• PS 11/36 Cimislia, Mihailovca. The ballots are stored on the windowsill of the polling station, anyone can reach them.

Deficiencies in the functioning of SIAS Elections system (suspension of operation; situations when SIAS Elections system indicates that the voter voted, and he claims that he did not vote) – 9 cases.

• PS 18/47 Floresti, Nicolaevca. The voter was not found in SIAS Elections system, but his name was on the main voters’ lists.
• PS 26/39 Rezina, Trifesti. SIAS Elections system is very slow, the reason stated is poor Internet connection. The PEB president requested the help of the network operator and the problem is being resolved.
• PS 2/30, Balti. At 07:58 and 8.30, the operation of the SIAS Elections system was suspended for 5 and respectively 20-25 minutes for technical reasons.
• PS 1/88, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. At 09:12, it was found that SIAS Elections system did not work because the Internet was disconnected. The voters are registered manually by the operators.
• PS 1/30, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. At 08:55, the operators identified a voter whose name was indicated with errors in SIAS Elections system.
• PS 01/169 Chisinau, Ciocana Dist. SIAS Elections System does not work because the Internet has been disconnected. Technicians from Moldtelecom were called. The voting procedure was not suspended.
• PS 1/31, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. Two voters who have recently changed their residence, came to vote at the PS 1/62 to which they had been assigned based on their old address. There, however, after entering the data in SIAS Elections, the new address mentioned in the IDs was observed and they were not allowed to vote, being directed to the correct PS (1/31).
• PS 21/39 Ialoveni, Rusestii Noi. The STO mentions that a voter who recently received an identity card (3 days ago, according to the voter) was not found in the SIAS, but was found in the main list and the PEB president allowed him to vote.
• PS 14/4, Drochia. Between 12:44 – 12:52, SIAS Elections did not work. In addition, there are many discrepancies in addresses. Thus, the town of Drochia was confused with the village of Drochia. People who voted all their lives in the town now are referred to the village. People are included in the supplementary list and allowed to vote.

Deficiencies in the voters’ lists (discrepancies between addresses; deceased voters on the lists; signatures affixed by other people) – 26 cases.

• PS 01/192 Chisinau, Ciocana Dist. A voter did not find himself in the voters’ lists, but he proved with his identity documents that he belongs to the PS and was included in the supplementary lists.
• PS 1/56, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. A voter included in the main lists of the respective PS, came to the PS however, after the verification of his ID it was found that he changed his address, being already referred to another PS. As a result, he did not vote in the respective PS.
• PS 1/30, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. After verifying the identity papers, a few voters were redirected to another PS. After a while, they returned and said they couldn’t find the PS. Then, the PEB president made a call, obtained some details, after which the respective persons repeatedly went to the PS to vote.
• PS 1/14, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. A voter was not found in the main voters’ l lists. As a result, it was included in the supplementary list.
• PS 1/79, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. A voter was not found in the main voters’ lists, and according to SIAS Elections, he was assigned to another PS. Given that based on the identity document, he was to vote in the respective PS, the voter was included in the supplementary lists.
• PS 23/04 Nisporeni, Nisporeni. A diseased person was found on the voters’ list. The PEB president said he was aware of the situation, but could not exclude the person from the list, because there was a mistake in the death certificate.
• PS 18/65 Floresti, Trifanesti. The voter was not on the main list, but he proved that he can vote. The PEB president made the decision to include him in the supplementary list.
• PS 18/4 Floresti, Nicolaevca. The voter did not find himself in the main list, but showed his ID proving that he can vote in the respective PS. He was included in the supplementary list.
• PS 1/88 Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. At 08:07, a voter saw in the voters’ list the name / surname of his deceased wife.
• PS 1/260 Chisinau, Cricova. A voter was not found in the main voters’ lists and was included in the supplementary lists.
• PS 18/5 Floresti. In the accompanying sheet of the ID, the voter’s address is Decebal 4, the voters’ list of this PS starts with Decebal 7, the voter was included in the supplementary list.
• PS 2/28, Balti. One of the voters did not find himself in the main voters’ lists, even though he had previously voted here. The PEB president directed him to another polling station, to which the voter had to be assigned.
• PS 1/222 Chisinau, Riscani Dist. A voter was not found in the voters’ lists, but after the presentation of the identity card, he was included in the supplementary lists.
• PS 1/246 Chisinau, Riscani Dist. A voter was not found in the voters’ lists and was included in the supplementary list.
• PS 2/28, Balti. A voter was not found in the main voters’ lists. He voted, being included in the supplementary lists.
• PS 1/222 Chisinau, Riscani Dist. A voter informed the PEB members that he had noticed the presence of deceased persons on the voters’ lists.
• PS 1/1 Chisinau, Center Dist. A voter noticed on the voters’ list the name / surname of her deceased neighbor, and shot the list where the deceased person is included.
• PS 1/151. Chisinau, Center Dist. A voter noticed in the voters’ list an unknown person with a residence visa in her apartment.
• PS 01/131 Chisinau, Center Dist. The owner of the private house on Hincesti 35 noticed that there are fake addresses on the lists (Hincesti 35, ap. 5 and ap .8) and persons with residence visas at these addresses.
• PS 1/79, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. A voter could not find his name on the main lists, and after checking it with SIAS Elections, it turned out that he had been assigned to another PS. Since his residence visa corresponds to the PS to which he came, the voter was included in the supplementary lists.
• PS 01/154. Chisinau, Center Dist. 7 people were not found in the main voters’ lists nor in SIAS Elections system. People claim that they have had their residence here for over 12 years.
• PS 1/23, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. A voter was not found on the main voters’ lists, although according to SIAS, he was assigned to the respective PS. As a result, the voter was included in the supplementary lists.
• PS 1/269 Chisinau, Singera. A voter did not find himself in the main voters’ lists for the parliamentary elections and was only in the electoral lists for the local elections. Later he was allowed to participate in the parliamentary elections.
• PS 1/47, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. A voter noted that his neighbors are not included on the main list, although they have the same address. The PEB members could not clarify the situation.
• PS 9/47 Calarasi, Vălcinet. A voter, Ciumaș Ion, voted in Valcinet although he had his residence visa in Chisinau.

Photographing of the ballot papers, other violations of the secret of voting (display of the ballot with the vote cast, misplacement of the voting booths that makes it possible to see the voter’s option, etc.) – 12 cases

• PS 1/56, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. At 09:00, a voter wearing police uniform, photographed the ballot. The PEB president asked him to delete the picture, to which the person replied that the pictures are saved in the cloud and anyway he’ll have them, after which he left the PS.
• PS 30/26 Straseni, Micauţi. A voter photographed the ballot. This was observed and the PEB president asked the person to delete the picture from the phone.
• PS 1/241 Chisinau, Riscani Dist. A voter photographed the ballot. This fact was observed by the PEB members and observers. An observer made a reprimand and the voter deleted the picture in the presence of PEB members and observers, after which he left.
• PS 01/177 Chisinau, Ciocana Dist. A voter photographed the ballot. The PEB president tried to prevent it, but he was ignored.
• PS 36/6, ATUG, Comrat. A voter photographed the ballots. The PEB members noticed it and the President canceled both ballots, the voter signed.
• PS 2/57, Balti. A voter photographed his ballot. The PEB president asked him to delete the picture from the phone. Before putting the ballot in the ballot box, the voter deleted the pictures from the phone.
• PS 2/43, Balti. A voter photographed the ballot. No one intervened with the request to delete the photo.
• PS 27/14 Rișcani, Borosenii-Noi. A voter who tried to photograph the ballot was notified by the observers and announced the policeman who had a discussion with him.
• PS 27/14 Rișcani, Borosenii-Noi. A voter tried to photograph the ballot but was seen. The policeman was announced of the fact. The voter was allowed to vote.
• PS 32/06 Ștefan Voda, Antonesti. The voting booths are located as if they are on the chess table. The secret of voting is not respected.
• PS 1/62, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. A voter photographed his ballot with the stamp applied, as well as that of his wife. The PEB members reprimanded him and asked to delete the picture, but he refused, arguing that they were taking pictures for their son who’s abroad.
• PS 11/28 Cimislia, Ialpujeni. At 12:07, a voter photographed his ballot in the voting booth. The president commented on this, but did not ask him to delete the picture and allowed the voter to put the ballot into the ballot box.

Temporary power disconnection – 3 cases

• PS 28/29 Singerei / Coscodeni. The electricity was disconnected for a short period of time, during this period, the SIAS Elections system did not work. The problem has been solved.
• PS 26/37 Rezina, Solonceni. Between 08:45 – 09:10, the power was interrupted. The voting process was not suspended. Two voters, registered by the operator, voted, then the operators introduced their data into the system.
• PS 9/14 Calarasi, Cabaiesti. There is no electricity in the polling station. SIAS Elections system is powered by a generator. (minimum 30 min)

Non-compliant use of ballot papers – 5 cases

• PS 1/110, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. A voter tried to take a ballot out of the PS. The PEB president noticed it and asked to put the second ballot in the ballot box. The voter ignored the request and threw it over the ballot box.
• PS 4/29 Anenii Noi, Mereni. A ballot paper was found in the voting booth (the second time already), presumably a purple The president canceled it and put it into the safe.
• PS 16/11, Edinet, Cupcini. A ballot was found in the voting booth, the voter announced the president of the PS, he drafted a report and canceled the ballot.
• PS 1/28, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. A voter forgot the ballot papers on the desk, without applying the “voted” stamp on them. Given that the PEB members recognized the person, the president of PEB made the decision to send the mobile ballot box to his place.
• PS 01/197, Chisinau, Ciocana Dist. Two voters were summoned by the PEB members because they were talking loudly about their voting choices while waiting in the line to the voting booth. They got upset and threw their ballots on the floor and left. Another voter picked up the ballots and put them into the ballot box. After some time, the voters who had left without voting, returned and asked for their ballots wishing to vote. They were not allowed to do it and they left again.

Lack or insufficient number of seals on the ballot box – 1 case

PS 4/25 Anenii Noi, Hirbovaț. The (additional) stationary ballot box has no seal.

Others – 14 cases

• Website of the CEC. According to the official webpage of the Central Electoral Commission, by 14:34, a total of 147,400 people voted in the municipality of Chisinau. At the same time, the number of voters per districts of the Chisinau municipality is the following: Buiucani – 17,390, Center – 14,494, Botanica – 26,106, Ciocana – 17,287, Riscani – 23,608 and in the suburbs – 27,970, which constitutes a total of 126,855 voters. Thus, there is a difference of 20,545 voters, who according to the general calculations per municipality would have voted by 14:34. This fact gives rise to reasonable doubts about the actual voter turnout, as well as suggests the fact that the voter participation rate in the municipality of Chisinau is not calculated correctly and / or the data presented on the page of the Central Electoral Commission are not correct.
• PS 21/2. Ialoveni. STO mentions that there are two camcorders in the PS. The PEB president said that they are disconnected, but the signals work.
• PS 1/109, Chisinau, Buiucani Dist. A voter came to the PS to vote with a “laminated” accompanying sheet. The voter voted, and the stamp ” Local elections 20.10.2019″ was applied on the laminated page.
• PS 5/4 Basarabeasca. At 08:20, it was reported that a voter received 4 ballots instead of 3. The 4th ballot was for the city council. The PEB president called the superiors and decided that the ballot would be canceled at the end of the day.
• PS 2/50, Balti. At 08:47, the PEB president realized that he had forgot to put the protocol of opening the PS into the ballot box. As a result, the PEB president showed the protocol to all the members and threw it in the ballot box the time when he remembered it.
• PS 2/21, Balti. At 09:25, a voter gave the operator only the identity card, without the accompanying sheet. The situation was noticed only after the operator introduced the data into SIAS Elections database. The voter was not allowed to vote. The PEB president is trying to solve the problem.
• PS 1/298 Chisinau, Gratiesti. By mistake, a voter signed in the list instead of another person. According to the observer, PEB members did not comment on the incident and tried to hide the fact.
• PS 1/119. Chisinau, Center Dist. A man was registered by the SIAS Election operators, not knowing that he did not have the accompanying sheet, the PEB members denied the voter of the right to vote (he did not sign on the voters’ lists but his data were introduced into the SIAS Elections).
• PS 01/192, Chisinau, Ciocana Dist. A woman wrote the word “left” in the place assigned for another person’s signature on the voters’ list. The PEB members asked why she did so, to which she replied that the person has left abroad and she does not want anyone to vote for him.
• PS 1/47, Chisinau, Botanica Dist. The observer of a competitor intervenes in the work of PEB members. Thus, he gave directions to a PEB member about: reporting to the CEC, the number of voters who voted, reporting by SMS. The PEB members do not pay attention to the observer’s interventions.
• PS 1/283, Chisinau, Bacioi. A voter, after receiving 5 ballots, revolted and tore them, arguing that she does not understand what is written on them and wants ballots in Russian (it should be mentioned that the woman spoke Romanian). Later, she was offered ballots in Russian, and the torn ones were canceled.
• PS 1/273 Chisinau, Singera. The voting booths are periodically relocated by the PEB members. The PEB president argues that due to the large number of voters, the booths are moved away and it is necessary to relocate them to the right place.
• PS 26/37 Rezina, Solonceni. A voter was registered in the SIAS Elections database only on the basis of identity card, without having the accompanying sheet. He was not allowed to vote.
• PS 15/4, Dubasari, Cosnita. Periodically, some groups of 4 to 5 voters, after voting, stopped in the PS precinct to follow the voting process and to discuss with the PEB members and other observers. As a result, the room was very noisy and crowded, making the observation process very difficult. The PEB members do not intervene to resolve the situation.

The press release is made as part of the Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019 by the Promo-LEX Association with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the “Democracy, Transparency and Accountability” Program.

The opinions expressed in the public reports and press releases of the Promo-LEX OM belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the point of view of the funders or partners. The content of this document may be subject to editorial review.

For more details, please contact:

Inga Stegarescu, Communication Officer of the Promo-LEX Observation Mission for the general local and new parliamentary elections of October 20, 2019. GSM 069269684, e-mail: [email protected]